District of Columbia Home Care

Finding home care in the District of Columbia is a great option for seniors who want to receive care in the comfort of a safe, familiar setting. Home care can provide services such as housekeeping, general shopping, and medication management, or even full-on nursing care and medical attention.

Find HOME CARE Facilities In WASHINGTON DC

Home Care in DC - Cost Comparison

District of Columbia home care allows you or your loved one to receive care in a familiar setting tailored to one’s individual needs. Licensed medical professionals or non-medical paraprofessionals are the main classifications of caregivers in the home health care field, with many overlapping roles and duties.

Depending on what will be required on the job, the cost of this care will vary from each city to the next.

Area

Homemaker Services Monthly Costs

Home Health Aide Monthly Costs

Washington

$3,480

$3,813

State Median

$3,051

$4,576

Recreation & Attractions in The District of Columbia

Washington DC is also a national center for the arts with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts being home to the National Symphony Orchestra, the Washington Opera, and the Washington Ballet. Additionally, The Smithsonian Institution was chartered by Congress in 1846 and maintains most of the nation’s official museums and galleries in DC. Because of this, the Smithsonian and its collections allow these educational facilities to be open to the public for free. Besides the abundant art, history, and scientific displays, The National Zoo in Woodley Park is another great location to explore. Clearly, there is more than enough history and culture to keep you occupied almost endlessly.

Washington DC's Climate, Geography & Culture

Washington, DC is located in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. East Coast and is bordered in the northwest by Montogermy County, Maryland, Prince George’s County, Maryland to the east, and Virginia in the south and west. The city has a total of 68.34 square miles, 7.29 square miles of which are water.

Winters here are somewhat chilly and prone to light snow averaging 15.5 inches annually with temperatures around 38 degrees. Summers here can be hot and humid and an average of 80 degrees with an average humidity of 66%. Washington, DC is also prone to some violent storms called nor’easters, which also affect large portions of the East Coast.

DC is home to the three branches of the United States’ government as well as many national monuments and museums. The district also hosts 176 foreign embassies and the headquarters of numerous international organizations, trade unions, non-profit organizations, lobbying groups, and professional associations.

Crime & Safety in DC

While searching for home care in DC it can be helpful to know which areas are the safer in comparison to other locations. Not only will this help with the effectiveness of the care services, but can provide peace of mind for visitors. Here are some of the safest regions found throughout DC.

DC's Home Care Regulations & Laws

All Medicare-certified home health care agencies are only able to employ those who have been sufficiently trained and evaluated by their respective state's approved programs. 34 states including the District of Columbia require a federal minimal of 75 hours of training, followed by 16 hours of practical experience and 12 hours of continuing education every 12 month period.

Payment Options for District of Columbia Home Care

Paying for home care is possible through a variety of different methods, with some more financially plausible than others. After you’ve determined the general price of home care near you, understanding how to pay is next.

Medicare does not pay for non-medical in-home care services. Regardless, Medicare Supplemental Insurances do cover Medicare copayments and deductibles for medical home care, as long as it is determined to be necessary.

Most seniors will choose to pay privately to avoid the hassle of maintaining insurances and other qualifications. This can be done through one's personal savings, pensions, a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit, or by converting a life insurance policy to cash.

Medicaid is another joint state and federal program that is available to provide insurance coverage for low-income families and their loved ones. Each state has its own specific set of rules and eligibility requirements, referring to home care as Home and Community Based Services.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in DC

Medicare-approved home health care guarantees you a series of rights and protections designed to provide you with the best experience possible. As you move forward with your care, it is required that the agency staffing your caregiver provides you with information regarding your rights.

You’ll be informed that you reserve the right to choose your own home care agency (pending a managed care plan if applicable), and to decide what services (medical or non-medical) you want to participate in. Your personal privacy and property are to be respected at all times in circumstances that it does not interfere with necessary medical attention.

Remember, you still retain your Constitutional rights and those afforded to you by the Bill of Rights. If suspect a violation has occurred, contact a lawyer familiar with elder law immediately.

DC Home Care: Medical Records Rules & Regulations

In the District of Columbia, patients are able to access their medical records by submitting a written request, and within 30 days the information should be made available, a copy should be provided, or the request denied with the specific reasoning provided.

Details of your mental and physical health will be included in your protected health information and corrections can be made with the supervision of your healthcare provider.

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.